During Celebracion!, the Center is offering free community Latin dance classes, and on this night, the emphasis will be on the Danza Azteca, a traditional Aztec dance, and a Mexican folkloric dance and will be led by Norma Flores. Everyone is welcome, and you do not need a partner or previous dance knowledge to attend.

This monthly event brings together local makers and allows the public to view and purchase their wares. And Down in the Ham will be at Art Crawl this month, so you can see us and pick up your own copy of our books as well as some of Abby’s art!

Come to the Gardens to peruse the antiques gathered from across the U.S. as well, to attend workshops, and to meet regionally and nationally known architects, interior designers, and landscape designers. This is Birmingham’s premier antique show, so if antiques are your thing, you won’t want to miss this event.

Hosted by REV and Birmingham Restaurant Week, Harvest Brunch brings together “the best of brunch” restaurants who will be serving up tasty sized bites of their most popular brunch items. Enjoy live Jazz music as you sip and savor from farm to community. Proceeds benefit The Urban Food Project.

There is no parking on site, but free shuttle buses are available at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church, Shades Mountain Independent Church, Bluff Park Village Shopping Center, and Shades Crest Baptist Church.

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See the work of more than 150 artists in this annual juried art show, and enjoy several food vendors, music from local high school jazz bands, and a children’s art activities section.

During Celebracion!, the Center is offering free community Latin dance classes, and on this night, the emphasis will be on the Argentine Tango and will be led by Birmingham’s Dancing Doctors, Sara Alvarez and Roswell Pfister. And you do not need a partner or previous dance knowledge to attend.

One Friday a month this fall, Ross Bridge is hosting a themed market with October’s theme being the Bark It Market, focusing on pet apparel, treats, toys, soaps and scrubs, and even a food truck for the 4-legged friends.

Enjoy shopping, food trucks, yard games, hay rides, and music. The Alabama Wildlife Center will be on site with some of their beautiful education birds and doing a talk at 10 a.m., and some of Oak Mountain’s snakes and turtles will be on display at the Presentation Tent at 11 a.m.

Shop from various arts and crafts vendors, watch the live music at Bryson Square Stage, savor delicious eats, and browse all the artwork, home decor items, jewelry, and pottery from local vendors. And guess what? Down in the Ham will be there as well, so be sure to stop by!

The Jimmie Hale Mission is hosting a special movie premiere of Same Kind of Different As Me, and while it’s been several years since I read the book, I remember appreciating how it humanizes the homeless population as it tells the true story of how the lives of an international art dealer, a gutsy woman, and a homeless drifter wove together. This event will benefit The Jimmie Hale Mission.

I’ve already gotten my ticket for the Friday concert and cannot wait to watch the Alabama Symphony Orchestra play the entire score along with the first Harry Potter film! Some friends and I were at the Symphony in the Park back in June when the ASO announced this event, and I confess that we bought our tickets there on the spot!

This month is the 40th anniversary of the founding of Ruffler Mountain Nature Coalition, and to celebrate the Magic City’s urban forest, there will be eco-arts activities for all ages, guided nature hikes and mining history hikes, a good ol’ fashioned cookout (sponsored by Alabama Power, Bud’s Best, and Golden Flake), and your favorite records spun by Seasick Records.

This is one of those hidden gems of Birmingham – a live storytelling event where people tell true stories that they actually lived! The theme for this event is “Spooked,” and I recommend getting there when the doors open in order to get a good seat. VIP ticket sales for this particular event will be benefitting Alabama Possible.

See first daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush share personal stories and universal revelations in this celebration of sisterhood and family. Ticket price includes an autographed copy of their highly-anticipated book, Sisters First.

From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., watch artists working around The Summit in this sidewalk chalk art festival, and stop at the Saks Plaza to pick up your chalk art map and voting card as well as to shop from special vendors (such as Down in the Ham) and to enjoy the Kids Zone.

To celebrate 130 years of the Five Points Birmingham District, this celebration centers on The Storyteller, a fountain created by Frank Fleming, and will involve spoken-word, poetry, and storytelling from local groups as well as a singer/songwriter competition.

They stop selling tickets at 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on the weekends.

Cost: $18 – $40

I’m not much for haunted houses or scary things, but if you love this sort of thing, head to Sloss Furnace this month for a zombie infested forest, a Sloss Fright Furnace tour, a marathon of horror flicks, and the Roadkill Cafe.

The Birmingham Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions this month with the Haunted Hayride & Tour, Ghoul School, Spider Slide, the Eerie Express Train, the Scarousel, and trick or treating throughout the Zoo. Kids are welcome to come in their family-friendly costumes and to collect candy on Trick-or-Treat Lane.

Local Pumpkin Patch & Corn Mazes

Old Baker Farm has a pumpkin patch and is a great place to take the little ones.

Location: 184 Furrow Ln., Harpersville, AL

Time:

3pm to dark on weekdays

9am-dark on Saturdays

1pm to dark on Sundays.

Cost: Pay with cash or check only

$10 per person

Kids 2 and under get in free.

Penton Farms has a corn maze, and they also have a pumpkin patch, cotton picker play area for kids, wagon ride, corn pit, and more. If you’re familiar with The Market at Pepper Place, Penton Farms is one of their vendors.

Location: 3595 County Rd. 59, Verbena, AL

Time:

1-5pm on Mondays-Fridays

8am-5pm on Saturdays.

Cost: $10 per person, which includes 1 pumpkin and all activities (except concessions).